Double twist spindle



Oct. 3, 1950 Filed Sept. 8, 1949 v. M. J. ANCET 2,524,217

INVENTOR. Valor Harrie Joseph flm'et Patented Oct. 3, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- DOUBLE TWIST SPINDLE Tangiers Application September 8, 1949, Serial No. 114,558 In France October 8, 1948 r 8 Claims.

This invention relates to yarn twisting apparatus of the type in which the yarn drawn from a supply package is passed through a rotating guide and is given two turns of twist for each rotation of the guide. More particularly, the invention is concerned with a novel twisting device of the kind described, which includes simple means for maintaining the supply package relatively stationary during the twisting operation.

In prior twisting devices of the double twist type, it is the common practice to mount the carrier for the yarn package or bobbin on a rotary spindle having an axial passage leading inward from its free end and opening through the side of the spindle. The spindle carries a yarn guide inwardly from the end of the carrier and the yarn is led from the package into the outer end of the spindle passage, through the passage, and through the yarn guide, from which it passes to a winding mechanism. The carrier is mounted on bearings on the spindle and the latter is driven. In the operation of the device. the yarn drawn from the package balloons out, as the spindle and guide are rotated, and is carried around the package, so that, during each rotation of the spindle and guide, the yarn acquires one turn of twist in passing through the spindle passage to the guide and a second turn of twist between the guide and the winding mechanism.

The functioning of such prior double twist devices depends on the supply package being held stationary, while the spindle is rotated, and various expedients have been used for the purpose. In orie construction, the package carrier is eccentrically weighted and supported on a spindle inclined to the vertical, and, while this arrangement is simple, it is inconvenient, because of the inclined spindle. Other prior constructions. which include a vertical spindle, are more complex and are objectionable for that reason.

The present invention is, accordingly, directed to the provision of a novel twisting device of the double twist type, in which a vertical spindle is used and simple means are provided for retarding the yarn package carrier, so that it has no appreciable rotation. In the new device, the retardation of the carrier is effected by providing it with vanes or blades, which create eddies in the ambient air and, in efiect, act as a centrifugal turbine. The bobbin carrier may be constructed with a central axial passage, through which the spindle extends and which is open at its top and leads at its lower end to a circumi'erential chamber open at its periphery and con taining generally radial vanes acting to cause a flow of air downwardly through the passage and radially from the chamber. In another construction, the generally radial vanes are attached to bottom of the bobbin carrier, and, as the spindle rotates and drags the carrier with it, air is drawn upwardly between adjacent vanes and then flows outwardly between the vanes. In addition, to the vanes or like means for retarding the carrier, the twisting device of the invention includes means for insuring automatic regulation of the unwinding of the yarn from the supply package, such means taking the form of a disc mounted for rotation coaxially with the spindle and having a guide eye. through which the yarn passes from the package into the spindle passage. The disc acts as an ordinary rotary guide for the yarn and also serves to guide the ballooning yarn passing to the winding mechanism. In addition, if the balloon of yarn contracts, because of an increase in the tension, the yarn engages the edges of the disc and accelerates its rotation, so that the unwinding is speeded up.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a view in elevation of one form of twisting apparatus of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig.1; and

Fig. 4 is a view, partly in vertical section and partly in elevation, of a modified form of apparatus embodying the invention.

The apparatus illustrated in Figs. 1-3, inc., is

5 especially adapted for use in twisting a yarn supplied from a cake, and the apparatus includes a hollow spindle ill mounted for rotation on a ball bearing H carried by a support I2. The spindle is rotated by a friction belt l3.

The yarn cake M is supported on a. carrier comprising an inner tubular member I5 mounted on the outer rings of upper and lower ball bearings [6, the inner rings of which are secured to the spindle I0. The lower end of member i5 is secured to a radial plate [1. An outer tubular member It lies concentric with inner member 15 and is connected at its lower end to a radial plate l9, which lies spaced above plate IS. The tubular members define a passage open at the top and the radial plates define a radial chamber, to which the passage leads and which is open at its periphery. Within the chamber are a plurality of angularly spaced generally radial vanes 20. The yarn cake I! is mounted to encircle the 5 passage and rests on top of the chamber.

The inner tubular member I! is prolonged above the open end of the spindle by means of a tube a and the end of the tube is closedjby a cap 2| having an opening 2|a for passage of the yarn |4a from the cake into the tube and thence into the spindle. The yarn passing through the tube is subjected to drag by suitable means 22, which may be a pad of hair, a leather element, etc. ings 23a therethrough is mounted to encircle tube [5a and rest upon the upper end of member IS. The disc is f greater diameter than the cake [4 and its peripheral edge acts as a guide for the yarn i4a on its way from the cake to the opening 2 I a in cap 2 I.

The spindle ID has an opening Illa in its side wall for outward passage of the yarn and carries a yarn guide lying outward from the opening. In the construction illustrated, the guide is provided by a disc 24 fast on the spindle and formed with a guide eye 24a near its outer edge. Beyond the eye, the yarn passes to a suitable winding device generally designated and comprising a driven drum 26, upon which rests the package 2'! of yarn being wound on a core.

In the operation of the apparatus, the spindle I0 and th drum 28 of the winding device are caused to rotate, so that the yarn is drawn from the cake, and passes upwardly over the edge of disc 23 and into the interior of tube Ho. The yarn then enters the upper end of spindle l0, passes down through the spindle to issue through opening Ma, and then passes through eye 24a in disc 24 rotating with the spindle. The yarn balloons out about the package and the axis of the spindle on its way to the winding device.

It will be apparent that, even though the package carrier is mounted on the anti-friction bearings IS on the spindle i0, rotation of the spindle will tend to cause the carrier to be rotated. However, rotation of the carrier causes the vanes 28 to force air outwardly from the radial chamber between plates 11,19 in the direction of the horizontal arrows a: and to draw air downwardly through the passage between tubular members l5, l8 in the direction of the vertical arrows 2:. The resistance of the air to the movement of the vanes retards the rotation of the carrier with the result that it rotates slowly and at a much lower rate than the spindle.

Instead of constructing the apparatus in such manner that a downward current of air is created through the passage between members I5, i8, it is possible to employ the vanes 20 to create a current at the bottom of the carrier. For the purpose, plate I! is omitted and disc 24 is either formed with openings or is replaced by a simple arm. In such a construction, it is not necessary to employ spaced tubular members I5, l8 to form a vertical passage.

A form of the apparatus, in which the vanes create a current at the bottom only of the carrier is shown in Fig. 4. In this construction, the spindle 28 is supported at its lower end in a step bearing 29 carried by a bracket 30 attached to a supporting rail 3| by a bolt 32. The bracket is also provided with a holder for a hard wood guide 33 for the spindle. The spindle is driven by a friction belt 34.

A removable disc 23 having open--.

the wound yarn mass 88. Member 88 is provided at itslower end with a radial flange 88a, on which the bobbin rests, and the flange is secured to a narrower radial flange 31a at the upper end of member 31. Flange 38a is provided with a plurality of angularly spaced generally radial vanes 40 extending downwardly therefrom. A hollow plug 4| is inserted in the upper end of member 26 and the plug has a hollow guiding neck 42 at its upper end. At its lower end, the plug has a guide opening 43 aligned with the open end of the hollow part of the spindle.

A pad 44 of felt or like material rests on top of the plug to encircle neck 42 and a disc 45 of greater diameter than the bobbin rests upon the pad. The disc is provided with a guide eye 46 near its outer edge.

The spindlehas an opening 28a in its side wall near the lower end of its hollow portion and an arm 4! having a pig tail guide 48 at its outer end is attached to a collar 48 fast on the spindle above opening 28a.

In the operation of the apparatus of Fig. 4,

' the yarn 58 from the bobbin is passed through The upper end of the spindle is hollow and guide eye 46 and thence through plug 4| and the hollow part of the spindle to issue through opening 28a. The yarn is then passed through guide 48 and to a winding device similar to the device 25, Fig. 1. Between the guide 48 and the winding device, the yarn forms a balloon about the bobbin and the axis of the spindle. As the spindle rotates, the bobbin carrier tends to rotate with it but rotation of the carrier is retarded by the vanes 40, which cause air to flow outwardly centrifugally and to flow upwardly into the spaces between the vanes as indicated by the arrows 1 In the apparatus shown in Fig. 4, the disc 45 is rotated by the yarn being wound of! the bobbin and the drag imposed on the disc by the felt pad 44 insures that the yarn will wind oil at a uniform rate and under proper tension. The edge of disc 45 also acts to guide the ballooning yarn and, if the unwinding is slowed down for any reason, the yarn in the balloon will engage the edge of the disc more tightly and increase the rate of rotation of the disc and thus speed up the unwinding. The disc 30 will perform the three functions named, if the guide eye 48 mounted in an opening in the disc is replaced by a guide eye on its upper surface near its periphery. In the latter case, the yarn from the bobbin passes over the edge of the disc to the guide eye.

In all forms of the winding apparatus of the invention, the carrier for the bobbin or other yarn package is free to move relatively to the spindle but its rotation is retarded by elements attached to the carrier and exposed to the ambient air. .These elements have surfaces of extensive area and are so disposed that the air offers resistance to their rotational movement with the carrier. As a result, the carrier rotates at a rate much less than that of the spindle and usually about a tenth of the rate of rotation of the spindle. The twist imparted to the yarn is a function of twice the rate of spindle rotation minus the rate of carrier rotation.

I claim:

1. In a yarn twisting apparatus including a vertical spindle mounted for rotation and having an axial passage leading inward from is free end and opening through the side of the spindle, a bearing supporting the spindle, a yarn guide fast on the spindle adjacent the inner end or the passage and extending outward from the spindle,

and means for rotating the spindle, the combination of a yarn package carrier mounted on the spindle between the ends of the passage for free rotary movement relative to the spindle, means on the carrier for guiding yarn from a package on the carrier into the outer end of the passage, and elements on the carrier having extended surfaces exposed to the ambient air and acting to retard the rotation of the carrier in relation to that of the spindle.

2. In a yarn twisting apparatus including a vertical spindle having an axial passage leading inward from its free end and opening through the side of the spindle, a bearing supporting the spindle for rotation, and a yarn guide fast on the spindle adjacent the inner end of the passage and extending outward from the spindle, the combination of a yarn package carrier mounted on the spindle between the ends of the passage for free rotary movement relative to the spindle, means on the carrier for guiding yarn from a package on the carrier into the outer end of the spindle passage, and a plurality of angularly spaced generally radial vanes mounted on the carrier adjacent one end thereof.

3. In a yarn twisting apparatus including a vertical spindle having an axial passage leading inward from its free end and opening through the side of the spindle, a bearing supporting the spindle for rotation, and a yarn guide fast on the spindle adjacent the inner end of the passage and extending outward from the spindle, the combination of a yarn package carrier mounted on the spindle between the ends of the passage for free rotary movement relative to the spindle,

the carrier having an annular passage concentric with the spindle and open at its outer end and a circumferential chamber connected to the inner end of the annular passage and open at its periphery, means on the carrier for guiding yam from a package on the carrier into the outer end of the spindle passage, and a plurality of angularly spaced generally radial vanes subdividing the chamber.

4. In a yarn twisting apparatus including a vertical spindle having an axial passage leading inward from its free end and opening through the side of the spindle, a bearing supporting the spindle for rotation, and a yarn guide fast on the spindle adjacent the inner end of the passage and extending outward from the spindle, the combination of a yarn package carrier mounted on the spindle between the ends of the passage for free angular movement relative to the spindle, means on the carrier for guiding yarn from a package on the carrier into the outer end of the spindle passage, said guide means including a member of greater effective diameter than the package and a tubular member coaxial with the spindle, and a plurality of angular spaced generally radial vanes mounted on the carrier adjacent one end thereof.

5. In a yarn twisting apparatus including a vertical spindle having an axial passage leading inward from its free end and opening through the side of the spindle, a bearing supporting the spindle for rotation, and a yarn guide fast on the spindle adjacent the inner end of the passage and extending outward from the spindle. the combination of a yarn package carrier mounted on the spindle between the ends of the passage for tree angular movement relative to yarn from a package on the carrier into the outer end of 'the spindle passage, and a plurality of angularly spaced generally radial vanes mounted on the lower end of the carrier and exposed to the ambient air.

6. In a yarn twisting apparatus including a vertical spindle having an axial passage leading inward from its free end and opening through the side of the spindle, a bearing supporting the spindle for rotation, and a yarn guide fast on the spindle adjacent the inner end of the passage and extending outward from the spindle. the combination of a yarn package carrier mounted on the spindle between the ends of the passage for free angular movement relative to the spindle, means on the carrier for guiding yarn from a package on the carrier into the outer end of the spindle passage, said guide means including a disc mounted at the outer end of the carrier and of greater diameter than the package to be carried by the carrier, said disc having guide means near its periphery for passage of yarn from the package, and a plurality of angularly spaced generally radial vanes mounted on the lower end of the carrier and exposed to the ambient air.

7. In a yarn twisting apparatus including a vertical spindle having an axial passage leading inward from its free end and opening through the side of the spindle, a bearing supporting the spindle for rotation, and a yarn guide fast on the spindle adjacent the inner end of the passage and extending outward from the spindle, the combination of a yarn package carrier mounted on the spindle between the ends of the passage for free rotary movement relative to the spindle, the carrier having an annular passage concentric with the spindle and open at its outer end and a circumferential chamber connected to the inner end of the annular passage and open at its periphery, means on the carrier for guiding yarn from a package on the carrier into the outer end of the spindle passage, said means including a disc mounted at the outer end of the carrier and of greater diameter than the package to be carried by the carrier and a tubular member coaxial with the spindle beyond its outer end, and a plurality of angularly spaced generally radial vanes subdividing the chamber.

8. In a yarn twisting apparatus including a vertical spindle having an axial passage leading inward from its free end and opening through the side of the spindle, a bearing supporting the spindle for rotation, and a yarn guide fast on the spindle adjacent the inner end of the passage and extending dutward from the spindle, the combination of a yarn package carrier mounted on the spindle between the ends of the passage for free angular movement relative to the spindle, means on the carrier for guiding yarn from a package on the carrier into the outer end of the spindle passage, said guide means including a disc mounted on the upper end of the carrier for rotation relative thereto and having a yarn guide eye near its periphery, the disc being of greater diameter than the package to be carried on the carrier and having a smooth peripheral edge engageable by yarn passing from the yarn guide fast on the spindle, and a plurality of angularly spaced generally radial vanes mounted on the carrier adjacent its inner end and exposed to the ambient air.

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No references cited. 

